Pursuing the Star
They followed the star in the east…
The three wise men will be portrayed by thousands of little children this Christmas in pageants across the land. In costumes of royal purple and gold, emerald green and silver, ruby red and gold, bearing gifts, these mysterious figures will traverse across platforms. As the minor melodic tune of “We Three Kings,” plays they will reenact the Christmas Story.
Could these Magi of the orient speak a message to us today? Do they call out from the ancient bible story to the modern reader to lookup? To fix our gaze beyond personal accomplishment and ability? Do they prompt us to seek something greater than facts and human reason?
Sitting in church I’ve heard preachers say, “We were never meant to be the star of the show.”
I have agreed with this point and yet how many times at Christmas has my focus shifted from Christ and unto myself? I obsess with how I will show everyone I care for them through gifts, food, time, and words. All of this giving is done with the best intentions, yet somehow I often end up feeling depleted, checked out and empty from my efforts. All of the busy work deafens the song echoing inside my heart, reminding me of the hope of this season. The same hope the star gleamed brilliantly with so long ago.
O come let us adore Him…
I need to drop the to-do list and lookup.
If there is anything the past two years have taught all of us it is: the world is not invincible. It can shut down. Life is precious but unpredictable, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
I don’t want to get tangled up in the pressures of doing a million things again…
If I followed the Star as the Wise men did, would it lead me to the Savior? To set out on the journey they had to be willing to cast aside their own agendas. They had to be willing to go on a quest into unknown territory to find a promise their hearts had always longed for.
Were they hoping for peace, love, and joy like I am? These words are printed on candles and pillows in retail stores, quietly reminding us of the deeper gifts we all long for at Christmas.
The wise men prepared as if they knew who the star would lead them to. Carrying precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh they traveled. Such gifts would have cost them a great fortune, and yet in faith, they believed such a journey and sacrifice would be far more valuable.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, Where is He who has born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him…” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And sent them to Bethlehem…When they heard the king they departed; and behold, the star which they have seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the Young child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
As I ponder the faith of these men, I feel challenged to set off on my own journey to discover the wonder of the tiny baby born to be the Savior of the World. I know in my heart pursuing the Savior will cost me everything, and I am not new to this road. But if I’m honest, I am feeling stiff in my religious tradition. The wise men have shown me that sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and walk by faith to follow the Light shining in the darkness.